Review Summary
Lu Bu Soul Food is a small restaurant in Munich Altstadt-Lehel serving sushi, Vietnamese dishes, and Asian fusion food. After several visits, the strongest dishes were Tiger Roll, Big Fried Shrimp, Juicy Lucy, and the Sushi Platte. Crispy Chicken, Avocado Maki, and Tofu with peanut sauce were also solid choices. A simple lunch usually cost between €10 and €20, while a sushi dinner with drinks was closer to €30 to €50 per person. The main strengths are fresh sushi, friendly staff, quick service, and many vegetarian choices. The weaknesses are the small dining room, strong frying smell near the kitchen, difficult parking, one unisex restroom, and uneven quality across some warm dishes.
Restaurant Visit Impression
Small Dining Room and Terrace
Lu Bu Soul Food is a compact restaurant. The tables inside are close together, and the room fills up quickly in the evening. I managed to get a table without a reservation when visiting as two people, but larger groups need a reservation. In summer, there is a small outdoor terrace. It feels more open than the indoor area, but the outdoor seating is not comfortable for a long dinner.
Kitchen Smell and Atmosphere
The kitchen is close to the dining area, so some seats get a strong frying and cooking smell. On busy evenings with fried sushi, crispy chicken, and duck dishes coming out, the smell stayed on my clothes. On quiet days, the restaurant was easy for conversation. During peak dinner time, it became loud. Even then, the visit remained positive because the food usually arrived quickly and the staff were friendly.
Food Review
Tiger Roll
If I choose only one dish, I recommend the Tiger Roll. This roll best represents what Lu Bu Soul Food does well. The sauce, rice, filling, and creamy finish work together with a strong flavor. The truffle note is clear, so it suits people who enjoy bold fusion sushi. On sushi-focused dinner visits with several rolls and drinks, I paid around €30 to €40 per person.
Big Fried Shrimp
Big Fried Shrimp is crisp, rich, and filling. The shrimp had a good bite, the fried coating was not soggy, and the sauce added a lot of flavor. This is not the right choice for someone looking for very plain traditional sushi. It is a good order for anyone who likes fried rolls and strong sauces.
Juicy Lucy
Juicy Lucy is a sauce-forward roll with a soft filling and a rich finish. It goes well with beer or homemade lemonade. It works best when shared with others because the flavor becomes heavy if eaten alone as the main dish.
Sushi Platte
The Sushi Platte was the safest choice across several visits. The plating was attractive, the ingredients were fresh, and the selection worked well for a longer dinner. A larger platter with three beers cost around €100. It is not a cheap meal, but the price makes sense when considering the presentation, portion, and flavor.
Avocado Maki
Avocado Maki is simple but well made. The avocado was soft without being mushy, and the balance between rice, nori, and filling was good. It is an easy recommendation for vegetarian diners and a good light addition to richer rolls.
Crispy Chicken
Crispy Chicken is one of the better warm dishes here. The outside was crisp, and the inside was not dry. With tamarind sauce, it tasted lighter than the creamier sauce options. On one simple meal with two dishes and two soft drinks, the bill came to about €29. As a lunch option, it is especially good value.
Red Thai Curry with Chicken Breast
The red Thai curry with chicken breast came in a generous portion and worked well with rice. The spice level was mild. Anyone expecting very strong heat and intense seasoning may find it soft, but as a comfortable warm dish next to sushi, it is a good choice.
Tofu with Peanut Sauce
Tofu with peanut sauce is one of the best vegetarian warm dishes. The sauce was nutty and filling, and the tofu had enough substance. With vegetarian spring rolls and apple juice, this meal cost between €10 and €20 per person. For a vegetarian meal, that price range worked well.
Spring Rolls
The spring rolls came out crisp and worked well as a starter before sushi or curry. They were especially good value as part of the lunch menu. A €11.50 lunch dish with spring rolls was a satisfying order for the price.
Pho Soup
Pho was one of the weaker parts of my visits. The soup was warm and easy to eat, but it did not have the depth I expect from Vietnamese pho. The small size was very small, and the beef portion was limited. I do not recommend visiting Lu Bu Soul Food mainly for pho. It is better to focus on sushi rolls and selected warm dishes.
Fried Duck
The duck dishes varied a lot. Crispy duck with peanut sauce was good, with a crisp skin and a generous portion. The duck with sweet and sour sauce was disappointing. The sauce tasted closer to tomato sauce, and the duck was dry. Thai Curry Duck was also weak because the duck was dry and the dish felt closer to take-away quality. With duck dishes here, sauce choice matters.
Udon Chicken
Udon Chicken was clearly weaker than the sushi dishes. The chicken had a nugget-like texture, and the noodle and sauce combination did not leave much of an impression. At this restaurant, I would choose sushi rolls or crispy chicken over udon.
Bun
Bun was also disappointing. The bowl relied too heavily on rice noodles, while herbs, dressing, nuts, and freshness were lacking. The chicken itself was soft, but the dish as a whole did not have enough character. Anyone who loves Vietnamese bun dishes should choose something else here.
Homemade Lemonade
The homemade lemonade pairs very well with the sushi rolls. It is sweet without being heavy and helps balance the rich sauces. I especially like it with fried sushi and creamy rolls.
Mochi Ice Cream and Dessert
Mochi ice cream is a good light finish after sushi. Fried banana was warm, sweet, and satisfying. A matcha cake-style dessert with coconut notes also made a strong ending. Anyone with room left after sushi should order dessert.
Price and Bill
Lunch Prices
Lunch usually stayed between €10 and €20 per person. A chicken and rice dish cost €7.50. A €11.50 lunch menu with spring rolls was very good value. For this part of Munich, lunch is the best way to eat here at a lower cost.
Dinner Prices
Dinner depends heavily on the order. A main dish with a drink often came to €20 to €30. Several sushi rolls with drinks were closer to €30 to €40 per person. A large sushi platter with alcohol reached €40 to €50 or more. For groups and longer dinners, €50 to €60 per person is a realistic budget.
Menu Recommendation
Best Single Order
If I order only one item, I recommend the Tiger Roll. It shows the bold fusion sushi style of the restaurant. For something lighter, choose Avocado Maki or the Sushi Platte. For a warm dish, choose Crispy Chicken. For vegetarian dining, I recommend Tofu with peanut sauce and spring rolls.
Waiting Time and Reservation
Weekday Visit
On early weekday visits, there was often no wait. Food usually arrived within 10 to 15 minutes. Take-away orders were also prepared quickly.
Evening Visit
For dinner, I recommend making a reservation. The dining room is small, and Friday or weekend evenings fill up quickly. A spontaneous visit for two can work, but groups should not rely on luck. On some evenings, the food arrived quickly, but paying took longer because the staff did not come back to the table often enough.
Payment and Service
Payment Method
Card payment worked without problems, and cash payment was also possible. The bill was handled smoothly even with several people. Anyone ordering large sushi platters and drinks should expect a higher bill.
Staff
The staff were mostly friendly, fast, and attentive. Service in German was very good, and ordering in English also worked. During very busy times, service slowed down after the first order. That was the main repeated service issue.
Parking and Restroom
Parking Situation
Parking is difficult. Street parking can be available, but finding a space takes time. Paid street parking or a paid parking facility is more realistic. I recommend arriving by public transport or on foot.
Restroom
There is a restroom. It is a single unisex restroom, so there can be a wait when the restaurant is full. The restroom and the outdoor seating are areas that need improvement.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The biggest strength is the sushi. Tiger Roll, Big Fried Shrimp, and Sushi Platte deliver both in taste and presentation. The staff are friendly, many dishes arrive quickly, and the vegetarian selection is wide. Lunch prices are also attractive.
Cons
The dining room is tight, some seats are too close to the kitchen, and parking is difficult. There is only one unisex restroom. Not all warm dishes reach the level of the sushi rolls. Pho, Bun, Udon Chicken, and some duck dishes were weaker. Dinner can also become expensive once sushi and drinks are added.
Satisfaction and Revisit
Overall Satisfaction
My overall satisfaction is high. Lu Bu Soul Food is not equally strong across every dish, but its best sushi rolls are strong enough to justify another visit. Tiger Roll and Sushi Platte remain the main reasons to return.
Revisit Plan
I would visit again. Next time, I will order Tiger Roll, Big Fried Shrimp, Crispy Chicken, and homemade lemonade. I would not come here only for pho or bun. For sushi in Munich Altstadt-Lehel, Lu Bu Soul Food is easy to recommend.
Location Guide
Lu Bu Soul Food is easy to reach from Haus der Kunst, Eisbachwelle, and Lehel. From Haus der Kunst, walk southwest toward the restaurant and it takes only a short time. From Hofgarten or Residenz München, walk east from the Odeonsplatz area. From Lehel U-Bahn station, head northwest toward the restaurant. The surrounding area has many cafés and restaurants, so it is easy to combine the meal with a walk near the English Garden, Hofgarten, or Eisbachwelle.
Check the restaurant location on the map
Food Photos
This review is connected to the city review page below.
Munich Place Reviews